Hell's Inner Circle Vol 2

Section 1

Prologue

Under Marie's orders, it's hunting season! They need to watch for someone who can become an incarnate of a missing sin. Easier said than done.

Markus sits by the main gate every morning watching everyone coming onto the grounds. Students, staff, and teachers. No one is safe from his eyes as he sizes them up.

Bolly has taken a different approach. She and Katherine have teamed up to scrounge the seedy underbelly of the internet to find those of a lower repute. That's right! They resorted to dating apps.

Marie kept her eyes up high. Trusting her instinct when it comes to people. A 'maybe' here and there but nothing that has stood out like the others in her circle.

What has Rush been doing? He's been quiet when it comes to his task. Well, now she knows that he's an incredibly busy and sought-after person in certain circles. Heh, even in Marie's circle he's becoming popular.

Part 1

Markus was the last one standing.

Katherine was swept to the mat with ease. Bolly decided not to participate any further once she saw Katherine eat the floor after being deftly disarmed.

The group was facing their strongest opponent to date who didn't seem to be breaking a sweat. Rush stood strong with his guard open and his body sideways as he faced Markus. "If it will make you feel better, you can use your iron fists."

"Now you're asking to have a broken face!"

His taunt worked. Markus brought them forth. In a flash of light, they wrapped around his fists and wrists up to his forearm. He ran up with his right arm cocked back screaming, "Yaaaaaaaahhhhhh!"

He took a swing that pushed the air. But nothing made contact. Rush was off to the side twisting his body. His left leg was planted on the ground. His right leg was up as a counterbalance.

His upper body leaned towards Markus. His hands were loose except for his index and thumb. They were shaped like a C as though they were holding small cups. His right leg shot back as his arms went forward. One cracked Markus under the eye while the other whipped into the soft spot under his ribs. Dead center!

Markus wasn't pushed in any direction. He just stood there shaking as his body tried to register what had happened. His legs shook before he just collapsed to his knees.

Clank Clang

His metal coverings hit the floor with their full weight as Markus's head looked upwards at the ceiling. Everything just seemed to shut down.

"That's it! That's the fight!"

Marie called out to stop everyone. Rush took a deep breath getting himself back to zero. He bowed to each of his opponents with his left hand over his right fist.

Markus was babbling, "How can someone move like that..." He was in disbelief at how quickly it was for him to be taken down. His ego was the most bruised part of him. Katherine sat off to the side pouting. "At least you got to try and attack him! I got kicked in the ankle and that was it!"

Bolly stayed painfully quiet. She knew better than to say anything. She knew that the skill level between the two of them was too great just after one move. She was probably the smartest fighter of them all.

This massacre was Rush's idea. It wasn't meant to be like this. It was just how it turned out. After watching the fight with the mutated mantis, he wanted to see everyone's skill in a non-hostile environment. Where the threat of death wasn't there and they could let loose.